1. PALM-3000 Instruments update A. Bouchez Team Meeting #9 22 Oct. 2008

2. PALM-3000 Successful commissioning July 8-10. First science run Oct. 19-24. Working : –Coronagraph –Integral field spectrograph –Instrument control software & GUI Not yet working: –Internal tip/tilt system –Pupil imaging system –Communications with AO –Quick-look image reconstruction Ras Al'Hague 7/10/08 UT 1.3 µm1.7 µm Project 1640 Credit: Ben Oppenheimer

3. PALM-3000 First commissioning run Oct 10-13, in terrible weather. Several science targets observed (seeing-limited). Working: –Pre-optics (240/160) & slicer –Quick-look image reconstruction –Communications with AO Not yet working: –Spectrograph cameras. –Detector read noise (~12 e - ) –80 mas preoptics –Camera control GUI Upcoming observing runs –Dec. 10-13 (NGS/LGS) –Jan. 11-14 (NGS/LGS) SWIFT Credit: Scott Kardel

4. PALM-3000 Work on laser at U. Chicago this spring improved safety and reliability. However, some laser automations lost (phase & frequency servo loops). Replaced LLT secondary: Improved wavefront quality to ~0.8” FWHM. So far this semester: –6 nights engineering LGS FHWM >1.5”, up to 53% K Strehl –7 nights science Good performance (in above-average conditions) and 33% open-shutter efficiency. Remaining: –Dec. 10-11 SWIFT-LGS commissioning –Jan. 9-12, 15-16 SWIFT and PHARO LGS science. No LGS offered in semester 2009A. Laser Guidestar update Old Mangin secondary µm New Cassegrain secondary µm

5. PALM-3000 Stellar “interloper” IRAS 18555+0056 PI: R. Sahai LGS-AO 1.64/2.15 µm PHARO-LGS results

6. PALM-3000 64”x64” mosaic of globular cluster M15, taken on 14 Aug. 2008 using the Palomar Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics system. The inset shows a 10x10” zoom towards the core of the cluster. M15 has a graviationally collapsed core, with some of the highest stellar densities found in our galaxy. Filter: Ks (1.99-2.30 µm) Integration: 7 s in each of 5 pointings. Laser power: 7.1 W PHARO-LGS results

7. PALM-3000 Summary Palomar AO system now has 4 instruments (PHARO, Project 1640, SWIFT, Fiber Nuller), plus the Well- Corrected Subaperture front-end and LGS facility. SWIFT/P1640 mechanical interface to AO system has proven difficult to use. May have to look into alternatives for PALM-3000. One consequence of additional instruments: Increased demand for AO and less time in the lab.